Posts Tagged ‘Mark Revington’

He Toki ki te Mahi has created economic value of more than $5.5 million since 2015. Further analysis suggests the potential to return seven times the value of the investment in economic benefits to the apprentices and the economy.

The book covers the events of the exile of Tāwhiao, the second Māori King, following the final defeat of the Land Wars at Ōrākau, when the King and his supporters were forced into armed isolation, and operated for 20 years as an independent state. The narrative maintains a central focus on the actions of Tāwhiao and the Kīngitanga, whilst weaving in the other related historical figures and events of the time.

First the word Pākehā, then Waitangi Day, and now water. It seems there are some sectors of New Zealand society who can’t get their heads around the notion of a bicultural country. Or some people who want to be offended regardless.

It is a haerenga to bring Moeraki stories to life, and to ensure that those on the Moeraki paepae know what they are talking about. Sometimes the haerenga, which happens every few years, from the mountains to the sea. This time, the Moeraki rōpū is travelling from the coast to the mountains. Along the way they hear the whakapapa of the Waitaki Valley, and the importance of the Waitaki awa to Moeraki. They pass through the landscape as the kōrero comes to life. It is much more powerful this way, experiencing the kōrero among the majesty and power of the whenua, rather than listening to the stories at a wānanga.

Tā Mark Solomon is not the kind of man who speaks at length about himself. He values his privacy and he’s prone to under-playing any suggestion that he’s made a significant contribution to Māoridom, to Ngāi Tahu.
The fact that he was knighted in 2013 in recognition of the work he has done for Ngāi Tahu and for Māoridom is a case in point. His initial reaction was to baulk at the honour, but there were those who told him to “pull his head in,” that it wasn’t just for him, it was for the tribe. He relates how he was told firmly to “get up there to Wellington and receive the honour on behalf of the tribe.”

Insulating homes is holistic, although I don’t like that word. But by insulating homes we create multiple outcomes for families. There is a warmer, dryer atmosphere in a house, people get sick less often, they are able to work more often… it has been estimated that every $1 spent on insulation generates $5 return on investment for the community through better living conditions and quality of life.

Up there at the awards ceremony earlier this year was Ngāi Tahu Farming, also a finalist along with the Tewi Trust from Tīrau. And when Rakaia Incorporation won the trophy, there to haka tautoko and waiata were their fellow Te Waipounamu representatives from Ngāi Tahu Farming. You could say it was a good night for Ngāi Tahu.

Manaia Cunningham spreads his arms wide to encompass the harbour and surrounding land at Koukourārata on Banks Peninsula. “This harbour has its own unique microclimate and gardening has always been in the whakapapa of this hapū,” says Manaia (Ngāti Irakehu, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga).